Page 3 of Her Marine Master

"Good.How about you?How's Charles doing?"Her friend's husband had just had surgery for prostate cancer and Becky had been worried beyond belief.

"He's okay.He's in a lot of pain, but the surgery went fine.He might be able to go home tomorrow."

"That's great."

Personally, she thought the turd deserved a little pain.Charles was a self-absorbed baby-man, and he treated Becky like his mom/live-in slave rather than a wife.It was a good thing they didn't want kids, because her hands were full with her husband-child.But whatever.Kaitlyn didn't have to live with him, and Becky claimed to be happy, so she shouldn't judge.

"How was your date?"

"It hasn't happened yet.It's Saturday.But a hot Marine just moved in next door."

"Oh really?"Becky asked.

"Yeah.Looks like a wounded warrior.He has burn marks on his face and he limps."

"Let me guess—you want to somehow save him."

"Shut up."

"Am I right?"

"It's not like that, no."

"But admit it, the wounded thing makes him appeal more to you."

Kaitlyn scowled.Why did Becky have such a good read on her?

"So what?That doesn't mean I want to save him."

"Listen, I think it's sweet that you have such a big heart, but you can't fix the whole world.For once, why don't you find a guy who can take care of you, instead of vice versa?"That was rich coming from the woman who did everything for her husband.

She thought about the huge Marine walking down the hall with two giant boxes stacked on top of one another."Oh, I think this guy could take care of me.And I don't think the wounded thing appeals because I want to fix him.It just tells me that he has a little depth.You know, he's had to endure hardship.It's more than most of the guys I've met around here."

"Probably most of the military heroes who have returned home are going to have that.The rate of PTSD is staggering."

And Becky thoughtshehad the bleeding heart complex.Well, they were both social workers, although they worked with child and family resources, not returning veterans.

"I know, but I haven't met any of those yet."

"Who is the date with on Saturday?"Becky asked.

"His name is Alexander and he's a chiropractor."

"Hm."

Yeah, she knew.That didn't sound nearly as hot as a Marine, did it?Well, that didn't mean he wouldn't be a great guy.They'd been talking online for a couple weeks and the guy seemed pretty cool.

"Let me know how it goes, okay?"

"Yeah, okay.And tell Charles I hope he recovers quickly."

"I'll do that.Talk to you later."

She hung up and tapped her fingernails on the kitchen table, still thinking about the Marine.Okay, yeah.She would make him brownies.It was the only neighborly thing to do.Besides, he wasn't going to come around on his own.She'd have to chip at that wall of his, and she was nothing if not patient and determined.

She pulled out her mixing bowl, feeling cheerful.Nothing made her happier than doing something for someone else.

An hour later she tapped on the Marine's door.